The Death of the Regular Season: Why a 24-Team Playoff is a Mistake
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By expanding the postseason to 24 teams and scrapping conference title games, the NCAA is trading prestige for a bloated, NFL-style tournament.
Q: What is the latest development regarding the College Football Playoff (CFP) expansion?
A: As Sportsnet first reported, the College Football Playoff and ESPN have officially announced that the playoff will expand to 24 teams starting next season. This move represents a seismic shift in the sport, moving away from traditional formats toward a structure that Sportsnet describes as having an "NFL flavour."
Q: How does this expansion affect the traditional conference championship games?
A: In a move that effectively kills some of the sport's most marquee events, conference championship showdowns are being dumped. Sportsnet reports that the first weekend in December, which was previously reserved for these title games, will now be used for the traditional Army-Navy game.
Q: What are the financial implications of removing these title games?
A: The Power Four conferences previously generated an estimated $345 million in TV money from their title games, per Sportsnet. To offset this, ESPN is paying an additional $1.7 billion over five years on top of an existing $7.8 billion contract that lasts through the 2031 season. Additionally, Sportsnet reports that ESPN will no longer be responsible for $140 million in payments due to the cancellation of the title games.
Q: Who will qualify for the expanded 24-team tournament?
A: Sportsnet reports that the Power Four conference champions will receive automatic spots. The best team from the Group of Six will be awarded one additional spot. The remaining 19 slots will be determined by a selection committee.
Q: How will the tournament be structured?
A: The new format will feature the following, according to Sportsnet: - The top eight seeds will receive first-round byes. - The playoff begins on the second weekend in December. - The first two rounds of games will be played on campus. - Quarterfinal and semifinal rounds will continue to be hosted by traditional bowl games. - Sportsnet reports that the first final under the 24-team format is scheduled for Jan. 24, 2028, in New Orleans.
Q: What are the new scheduling requirements for teams?
A: To ensure a level of consistency in strength of schedule, the CFP is implementing new rules. Sportsnet reports that Power Four teams must play at least 10 regular-season games against conference opponents, other Power Four teams, and Notre Dame. Group of Six teams are required to play 10 games against conference opponents. The regular season will now begin the week before Labor Day and will include two guaranteed off weeks.
Q: How does this change affect Notre Dame?
A: Notre Dame, one of only two remaining independents in major college football, will no longer receive the special guarantees it had during the 12-team postseason era. Sportsnet notes that previously, Notre Dame would get a spot if ranked in the top 12. Coach Marcus Freeman told Sportsnet he views the change as a net positive because the new scheduling requirements and the expanded field mean his team can presumably afford more than one loss.
Q: Why is there concern that this expansion dilutes the regular season?
A: Opinion: The regular season used to be one of the most important stretches in all of sports; now, it is becoming a glorified preseason. By expanding to 24 teams, the CFP is replacing high-stakes, prestigious matchups—such as a potential Alabama vs. Georgia SEC title game—with meaningless contests, such as a 13 seed vs. 20 seed game featuring teams like Kentucky and South Carolina. As Sportsnet points out, this "NFL-style free-for-all" could include roughly one-third of the 68 Power Four teams, stripping the season of its distinct character.
Q: What are the criticisms regarding the selection committee?
A: There is significant skepticism regarding the committee's ability to manage a larger bracket. Sportsnet highlights that the committee has struggled with smaller formats, citing the exclusion of Notre Dame last season and Florida State in 2023 as primary examples of failures in the process.
Q: Were there alternative options for expansion?
A: Yes. Sportsnet reports that the SEC preferred a 16-team limit, as they were concerned about the marketability of games featuring third- and fourth-place conference finishers and wanted to preserve their league title game, which they created in 1992. However, the Big Ten pushed for a larger expansion, and ESPN ultimately resolved the financial disputes to make the 24-team model possible.
Q: How do coaches feel about the new system?
A: Some see it as a way to maintain competitiveness. Purdue coach Dave Odum told Sportsnet that the expansion would be "healthy" for teams in his current rebuilding situation as they strive to reach the playoff threshold. This is particularly relevant in an era of $50 million rosters and significant NIL payments, where Power Four schools are banking on more playoff spots to motivate their second-tier teams.